Mechanism of oleic acid-induced gap junctional disassembly in rat cardiomyocytes

This study investigated the mechanism of oleic acid (OA) on gap junctions and identified the protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms involved in OA-mediated gap junction disassembly in cardiomyocytes. Control cardiomyocytes showed continuous staining of the plasma membrane at cell-cell contact areas using antibodies reacting with connexin 43 (Cx43). The spontaneous contraction rate of cultured cardiomyocytes was reduced in a time-dependent manner by OA. In addition, Cx43 expression at cell-cell junction decreased, suggesting the disassembly of gap junction. Staining for PKC and PKCalpha, which were shown to colocalize with Cx43, also decreased with increased duration of OA treatment. The effects of OA on these distributional changes at cell junctions were reversed by 24 h incubation in fresh culture medium devoid of OA. Immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the biochemical binding between Cx43 and PKC/PKCalpha, and this protein interaction was not affected by OA. This may provide the basis for simultaneous detachment of Cx and PKC/PKCalpha from the cell-cell junction to the cytosol upon OA stimulation. Western blot analysis showed that OA-induced Cx43 Ser368 phosphorylation, and that this effect could be blocked by cotreatment with the general PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, the PKC inhibitor, eV1-2, or the Src kinase inhibitor, PP1, but not by the PKCalpha inhibitor, G?6976. eV1-2 also prevented the OA-induced disassembly of gap junctions. Taken together, these data suggest that OA-induced Cx43 Ser368 phosphorylation is mediated by activation of PKC and Src kinase and might be responsible for OA-induced gap junctional disassembly.     

卡维地洛对大鼠心肌间隙连接通讯的影响及作用机制研究

目的研究卡维地洛对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤、心肌间隙连接通讯（GJIC）及连接蛋白43（CX43）的影响,验证卡维地洛可通过改变CX43磷酸化状态抑制GJIC起到防止心肌再灌注损伤的假设.方法将大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组和卡维地洛组.结扎左冠状动脉前降支致缺血30 min后复灌4 h,建立心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型,于再灌注4 h末测定心肌酶及心肌梗死范围变化;制作Langendorf心脏灌流模型,随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组、卡维地洛组和庚醇组,于整体缺血30 min末期用改良的划痕标记染料示踪技术测定GJIC;用Western blot技术检测缺血30 min CX43磷酸化状态的改变.结果与假手术组相比,缺血再灌注组心肌酶及心肌梗死范围明显增加,GJIC无明显变化,非磷酸化CX43升高.与缺血再灌注组比较,卡维地洛组心肌酶及心肌梗死范围显著减少,同间隙连接抑制剂庚醇作用相似,GJIC也明显受到抑制,伴非磷酸化CX43水平明显上升.结论卡维地洛具有使CX43去磷酸化进而抑制GJIC防止心肌再灌注损伤的作用.     

不同β受体阻滞剂对大鼠心肌间隙连接结构作用的对比研究

目的比较三代β受体阻滞剂的代表药物卡维地洛、美托洛尔及普萘洛尔对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤心肌间隙连接（GJ）结构的不同作用。方法将大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组、卡维地洛组、美托洛尔组及普萘洛尔组。除假手术组只穿线不结扎外,其余各组均结扎左冠状动脉前降支30min,然后松开结扎线复灌4h,建立心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型。于再灌4h末用免疫荧光和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜技术观察心肌间隙连接蛋白43（CX43）的分布及组成变化,用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜对CX43进行定量。结果与假手术组相比,缺血再灌注组CX43-GJ结构明显异常。与缺血再灌注组比较,卡维地洛组、美托洛尔组和普萘洛尔组CX43-GJ损伤减轻。各药物治疗组间比较,卡维地洛组CX43-GJ结构损伤最轻。结论各种β受体阻滞剂均具有保护心肌GJ结构的作用,以卡维地洛的作用最明显。     

细胞间隙连接通讯及其通路蛋白与大肠癌发生关系的研究进展

细胞间隙连接通讯(gap junctional intercellular communication,GJIC)是多细胞生物体内普遍存在的一种通讯方式,他参与离子和其他小分子信号物质的转运.GJIC对细胞的生长、增殖和分化起重要的调控作用,他的改变与肿瘤的发生密切相关.大肠癌是人类常见的恶性肿瘤之一,目前研究表明,大肠癌的发生是一个多步骤、多基因、多阶段的过程,包括癌基因激活、抑癌基因失活、DNA转录表达失控、DNA损伤等.不论何种原因的细胞转化,其最终表现为细胞周期失控、细胞无限增殖.本文就GJIC及其通路蛋白、细胞因子与大肠癌的发生的研究进展作一综述.     

高血压大鼠心脏中缝管连接蛋白的表达及连接结构观察

目的　为临床高血压心脏病的相关研究提供形态学依据。方法　 Dahl盐敏感高血压大鼠于生后 5w开始喂 8%高盐饲料 ,分别于 9、1 1、1 3周龄处死 ,采用透射电镜及免疫组化方法对大鼠心肌细胞的连接结构及缝管连接蛋白 Cx43、Cx40的含量进行研究。结果　心肌细胞的连接结构闰盘似山峰样 ,台阶消失 ,缝管连接位于突起之间 ;实验组 Cx43含量较相应对照组显著减少 (9周龄 P<0 .0 5;1 1、1 3周龄 P<0 .0 1 ) ,分布紊乱 ;Cx40含量在早期 (9周龄 )时显著减少 (P<0 .0 1 ) ,随后显著增加 (P<0 .0 1 )。结论　缝管连接分布的紊乱及 Cx43含量的下降可能在高血压心脏病心律失常的发生上起了重要作用 ,而 Cx40含量增加可能是增加传导速度的一个补偿机制。     

血吸虫可溶性虫卵抗原诱发脑血管内皮细胞缝隙连接蛋白Cx37mRNA及蛋白的表达

目的 通过观察血吸虫可溶性虫卵抗原(SEA)孵育培养的脑血管内皮细胞缝隙连接(GJ)蛋白的表达和分布,探讨脑动脉GJ在脑血吸虫病病理发生中的作用。方法 使用血吸虫SEA孵育培养幼兔脑基底动脉血管内皮细胞,实验分对照组、SEA 1～5组：加入SEA（质量浓度分别为10.0％、5.0％、3.3％、2.5％、2.0％）,应用逆转录—聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)技术测定兔脑血管内皮细胞GJ蛋白Cx37 mRNA的表达;应用Western 印迹技术测定兔脑血管内皮细胞GJ蛋白Cx37蛋白的表达。结果 对照组和SEA 1 ～5组的GJ蛋白Cx37 mRNA水平分别为0.239±0.037、0.260±0.043、0.218±0.310、0.647±0.040、0.419±0.036、0.513±0.038;其中SEA 3～5组的GJ蛋白Cx37 mRNA水平高于对照组（P均＜0.05）。对照组和SEA 1～5组GJ 蛋白Cx37蛋白表达分别为0.401±0.045、0.485±0.048、0.749±0.052、1.119±0.063、1.015±0.057、0.605±0.047,其中SEA 2 ～5组Cx37蛋白表达高于对照组（P均＜0.05）。结论 血吸虫SEA孵育培养的兔脑血管内皮细胞GJ蛋白Cx37 mRNA及其蛋白水平高于对照组,提示GJ蛋白在SEA及其分泌物浸润脑动脉沉积于脑组织,从而在诱发脑血吸虫病的病理发生机制中可能起重要的作用。     

Age-associated alterations of cardiac structure and function in the female F344xBN rat heart

The Fischer 344/NNiaHSD × Brown Norway/BiNia F1 (F344xBN) rat model exhibits an increased life span and fewer age-associated pathologies compared to commonly used Fischer 344 (F344). How aging may affect cardiac structure and function in these animals, has to our knowledge, not been investigated. Echocardiography was performed on female F344xBN rats at 6, 26, and 30 months of age using a Phillips 5500 Echocardiography system. Before sacrifice, electrocardiograms were measured in the female F344xBN in order to determine heart rhythm interval changes. Aging was associated with an increase in heart to body weight ratio, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, posterior wall thickening, and left ventricle chamber dilatation. Aging was associated with slight evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Alterations in heart rhythm intervals were associated with alterations in the spatial distribution of connexin 43. The incidence of arrhythmias was not different with age; however, valvular dysfunction was increased. These data suggest that aging in the female F344xBN rat heart is associated with changes in cardiac structure as well as function. Further investigation regarding other parameters of cardiac biochemistry and function is needed to better understand the normal compensated cardiovascular aging process in the female F344xBN.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11357-014-9684-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

心房肌缝隙连接蛋白40、43表达改变与心房颤动的关系

目的：研究心房颤动患者心房肌缝隙连接蛋白(Cx)40、43表达的改变，探讨Cx在房颤发生与维持中的作用。方法：39例接受开胸手术者分为房颤组和窦性心律组，手术时取右心耳及左心房各约100mg，采用Western blot与免疫组织化学技术，检测心房肌Cx40、Cx43表达量与分布的改变。结果：房颤组Cx40表达量在左心房、右心耳较窦性心律组高，Cx43表达量在左心房较窦性心律组高，在右心耳无差异。免疫组化显示房颤组Cx40、Cx43均分布紊乱，聚集于胞浆或核周。结论：房颤患者心房肌Cx40、Cx43表达增高，且分布异常，提示心房肌Cx40、Cx43表达改变与心房颤动的发生与维持有关。     

间隙连接蛋白43对胰腺癌细胞株BxPC3凋亡的作用及其机制研究

目的 研究间隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)在胰腺癌细胞凋亡中的作用,并探讨其机制.方法 采用脂质体2000法将pcDNA-Cx43、pcDNA-Cx43N、空质粒peDNA3.0、siRNA-Cx43和对照siRNA-NC分别转染BxPC3细胞.Western blotting检测细胞Cx43蛋白表达、细胞色素C(Cyt C)含量;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、线粒体膜电位;荧光分光光度计检测细胞Caspase-9和Caspase-3活性;染料传递法测定细胞间间隙连接(GJ).结果 Cx43转染BxPC3细胞后,Cx43蛋白表达明显上调,细胞凋亡从空质粒转染组的(6.35±0.43)%增加到(14.29±1.24)%,经H_2O_2处理后,从(20.34 ±2.47)%增加到(31.27±2.56)%(P<0.05),同时线粒体膜电位下降,Cyt C从线粒体释放增多,Caspase蛋白酶活性增加;而siRNA43干扰细胞后,细胞凋亡从(7.42±0.47)%减少到(5.19±1.37)%,经H_2O_2处理后,从(19.43±1.71)%减少到(11.67±1.97)%(P<0.05),线粒体膜电位去极化,Cyt C从线粒体释放减少,Caspase 酶活性下调.细胞间间隙连接指数在无GJ抑制剂B-GA情况下从对照组的14.52±0.57增加到peDNA-Cx 43转染组的23.05±3.84,在存在β-GA情况下从1.70±0.24增加到3.84±0.45(P<0.05),但细胞凋亡率改变无显著差异.结论 Cx43可通过线粒体凋亡途径促进BxPC3细胞凋亡,Cx43调节细胞凋亡存在间隙连接以外的机制.     

间隙连接蛋白43对胰腺癌细胞株BxPC3凋亡的作用及其机制研究

目的研究间隙连接蛋白43（Cx43）在胰腺癌细胞凋亡中的作用,并探讨其机制。方法采用脂质体2000法将pcDNA—Cx43、pcDNA—Cx43N、空质粒pcDNA3．0、siRNA—Cx43和对照siRNA-NC分别转染BxPC3细胞。Western blotting检测细胞Cx43蛋白表达、细胞色素C（Cyt C）含量;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、线粒体膜电位;荧光分光光度计检测细胞Caspase-9和Caspase-3活性;染料传递法测定细胞间间隙连接（GJ）。结果Cx43转染BxPC3细胞后,Cx43蛋白表达明显上调,细胞凋亡从空质粒转染组的（6．35±0．43）％增加到（14．29±1．24）％,经H2O2处理后,从（20．34±2．47）％增加到（31．27±2．56）％（P〈0．05）,同时线粒体膜电位下降,CytC从线粒体释放增多,Caspase蛋白酶活性增加;而siRNA43干扰细胞后,细胞凋亡从（7．42±0．47）％减少到（5．19±1．37）％,经H2O2处理后,从（19．43±1．71）％减少到（11．67±1．97）％（P〈0．05）,线粒体膜电位去极化,CytC从线粒体释放减少,Caspase酶活性下调。细胞间间隙连接指数在无GJ抑制剂B—GA情况下从对照组的14．52±0．57增加到pcDNA—Cx43转染组的23．05±3．84,在存在β—GA情况下从1．70±0．24增加到3．84±0．45（P〈0．05）,但细胞凋亡率改变无显著差异。结论Cx43可通过线粒体凋亡途径促进BxPC3细胞凋亡,Cx43调节细胞凋亡存在间隙连接以外的机制。     

前列腺癌细胞连接蛋白43表达和细胞间隙连接交流状况

目的　观察前列腺癌 (PCa)细胞连接蛋白 (Connexin ,Cx)表达和细胞间隙连接交流(GJIC)状况 ,探讨胸苷激酶 (TK)自杀基因治疗前列腺癌时旁观者效应不够强大的原因以及GJIC与前列腺癌发生的关系。　方法　分别采用逆转录 聚合酶链式反应 (RT PCR)、链霉亲和素免疫组化法 (SABC法 )和划痕标记染料示踪技术 (SLDT)检测前列腺癌细胞系PC 3m的连接蛋白 4 3(Cx4 3)mRNA、蛋白表达和GJIC功能状况 ,并观察Cx4 3蛋白在正常前列腺和前列腺癌组织中的表达。　结果　PC 3m有Cx4 3mRNA和蛋白表达 ,但其表达较弱 ,且Cx4 3蛋白大多异常定位于细胞浆中而非细胞膜上 ;组织切片显示前列腺癌组织Cx4 3蛋白异常定位且表达水平较正常前列腺组织明显减弱 ,与病理分级呈负相关关系 (χ2 =4 0 2 5 ,P <0 0 5 ) ,高分化和中等分化、低分化腺癌的表达率分别为5 2 9%及 7 1%。此外 ,PC 3m细胞GJIC功能低下 ,半定量为 ( )或 (- )。　结论　前列腺癌细胞GJIC功能低下 ,Cx4 3基因下调表达和蛋白异常定位均可能为导致这一现象的原因。GJIC功能缺陷可能是引起单纯疱疹病毒 胸苷激酶 /更昔洛韦系统杀伤前列腺癌细胞时旁观者效应不够强大的原因 ,亦可能是前列腺癌发生、发展中的分子事件。     

Connexin40 and connexin43 determine gating properties of atrial gap junction channels

While ventricular gap junctions contain only Cx43, atrial gap junctions contain both Cx40 and Cx43; yet the functional consequences of this co-expression remain poorly understood. We quantitated the expression of Cx40 and Cx43 and their contributions to atrial gap junctional conductance (g_j). Neonatal murine atrial myocytes showed similar abundances of Cx40 and Cx43 proteins, while ventricular myocytes contained at least 20 times more Cx43 than Cx40. Since Cx40 gap junction channels are blocked by 2 mM spermine while Cx43 channels are unaffected, we used spermine block as a functional dual whole cell patch clamp assay to determine Cx40 contributions to cardiac g_j. Slightly more than half of atrial g_j and ≤ 20% of ventricular g_j were inhibited. In myocytes from Cx40 null mice, the inhibition of ventricular g_j was completely abolished, and the block of atrial g_j was reduced to < 20%. Compared to ventricular gap junctions, the transjunctional voltage (V_j)-dependent inactivation of atrial g_j was reduced and kinetically slowed, while the V_j-dependence of fast and slow inactivation was unchanged. We conclude that Cx40 and Cx43 are equally abundant in atrium and make similar contributions to atrial g_j. Co-expression of Cx40 accounts for most, but not all, of the differences in the V_j-dependent gating properties between atrium and ventricle that may play a role in the genesis of slow myocardial conduction and arrhythmias.     

Phosphorylation of connexin in functional regulation of the cardiac gap junction

In cardiac muscle, the gap junction contributes to electrical cell-to-cell coupling. This physiological function of the gap junction depends on the phosphorylation state of the connexin molecule, which comprises the gap junction channel. The effects of intracellular Ca²⁺ overload, acidosis, activation of protein kinase (PK) A, PKC and PKG on the phosphorylation and expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) were examined in animal hearts with reference to physiological function. Activation of PKA promotes cell-to-cell coupling due to augmentation of the PKA-mediated phosphorylation of Cx43, with a rise in the quantity of and an increase in the expression of Cx43. A rise in the ionic strength of Ca²⁺ and H⁺ impaired cell communication, with the inhibition of PKA-mediated Cx43 phosphorylation. Activation of PKC reduces the quantity and expression of Cx43 despite augmentation of PKC-mediated phosphorylation of the protein. The effects of PKG activation are similar to those of PKC activation. It is suggested that PKA activation upregulates and PKC activation downregulates Cx43. The role of connexin phosphorylation in the regulation of gap junction function is discussed.     

5-HT4 and 5-HT2 receptors antagonistically influence gap junctional coupling between rat auricular myocytes

5-hydroxytryptamine-4 (5-HT₄) receptors have been proposed to contribute to the generation of atrial fibrillation in human atrial myocytes, but it is unclear if these receptors are present in the hearts of small laboratory animals (e.g. rat). In this study, we examined presence and functionality of 5-HT₄ receptors in auricular myocytes of newborn rats and their possible involvement in regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC, responsible for the cell-to-cell propagation of the cardiac excitation). Western-blotting assays showed that 5-HT₄ receptors were present and real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that 5-HT_4b was the predominant isoform. Serotonin (1 μM) significantly reduced cAMP concentration unless a selective 5-HT₄ inhibitor (GR113808 or ML10375, both 1 μM) was present. Serotonin also reduced the amplitude of L-type calcium currents and influenced the strength of GJIC without modifying the phosphorylation profiles of the different channel-forming proteins or connexins (Cxs), namely Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45. GJIC was markedly increased when serotonin exposure occurred in presence of a 5-HT₄ inhibitor but strongly reduced when 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2B receptors were inhibited, showing that activation of these receptors antagonistically regulated GJIC. The serotoninergic response was completely abolished when 5-HT₄, 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2B were simultaneously inhibited. A 24 h serotonin exposure strongly reduced Cx40 expression whereas Cx45 was less affected and Cx43 still less. In conclusion, this study revealed that 5-HT₄ (mainly 5-HT_4b), 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2B receptors coexisted in auricular myocytes of newborn rat, that 5-HT₄ activation reduced cAMP concentration, I_CaL and intercellular coupling whereas 5-HT_2A or 5-HT_2B activation conversely enhanced GJIC.     

心房颤动与细胞缝隙连接关系及其治疗新进展

心房颤动（AF）是临床上最常见的快速性房性心律失常之一,有极高的致残率和致死率。AF的发生和维持的机制是困扰心血管医生的难题。缝隙连接是存在于相邻细胞间的一种由特殊膜蛋白通道组成的,在相邻细胞间中构成一个通道,它对多细胞生命体的协同行为非常重要。心脏组织的缝隙连接与心律失常有着密切的关系。近年研究发现,肺静脉肌袖及心房组织细胞缝隙连接蛋白的变化与AF的发生及维持机制密切相关。本文主要综述心房组织的细胞缝隙连接与AF的关系及相关治疗的新进展。     

N-cadherin haploinsufficiency affects cardiac gap junctions and arrhythmic susceptibility

Cardiac-specific deletion of the murine gene (Cdh2) encoding the cell adhesion molecule, N-cadherin, results in disassembly of the intercalated disc (ICD) structure and sudden arrhythmic death. Connexin 43 (Cx43)-containing gap junctions are significantly reduced in the heart after depleting N-cadherin, therefore we hypothesized that animals expressing half the normal levels of N-cadherin would exhibit an intermediate phenotype. We examined the effect of N-cadherin haploinsufficiency on Cx43 expression and susceptibility to induced arrhythmias in mice either wild-type or heterozygous for the Cx43 (Gja1)-null allele. An increase in hypophosphorylated Cx43 accompanied by a modest decrease in total Cx43 protein levels was observed in the N-cadherin heterozygous mice. Consistent with these findings N-cadherin heterozygotes exhibited increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias compared to wild-type mice. Quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy revealed a reduction in size of large Cx43-containing plaques in the N-cadherin heterozygous animals compared to wild-type. Gap junctions were further decreased in number and size in the N-cad/Cx43 compound heterozygous mice with increased arrhythmic susceptibility compared to the single mutants. The scaffold protein, ZO-1, was reduced at the ICD in N-cadherin heterozygous cardiomyocytes providing a possible explanation for the reduction in Cx43 plaque size. These data provide further support for the intimate relationship between N-cadherin and Cx43 in the heart, and suggest that germline mutations in the human N-cadherin (Cdh2) gene may predispose patients to increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias.     

异型缝隙连接通道和磷酸化对心脏缝隙连接的调变

目的 检测由缝隙连接蛋白(connexin，Cx)43和Cx45组成的多种异型缝隙连接通道(her—eromultimeric gap junction channels，HGJC)和磷酸化对缝隙连接(gap junction，GJ)的调变作用。方法 将转染了编码为Cx43或Cx45的DNA后的Hela细胞放置在一起共同培养组成双侧和单侧异型GJ通道。显微注射若丹明123(rhodamine123，Rh)检测经200nmol／L十四(烷)酰佛波醇乙酸酯(12-0-tetrade—canoylphorbol-13-acetae，TPA)处理前后，在紫外光显示下由Cx43和Cx45所组成的不同GJ通道对荧光染料的偶联率(coupling ratio)。结果 在不同的GJ中，同型GJ通道Cx43(homotypie Cx43，HoCx43)偶联率最高。从Cx45侧注入荧光染料的单侧异型GJ通道45(mono-heteromeric Cx45-Cx43／45，MH45)偶联率较之从Cx43／45侧注入荧光染料的MH45、双侧异型GJ通道Cx43／45(bi-heteromeric Cx43／45，BH43／45)及同型GJ通道Cx45(homotypic Cx45，HoCx45)等的偶联率是最低的。根据HoCx43或HoCx45通道的偶联率对各型通道偶联率进行标准化处理。BH43／45和MH43通道的偶联率均较HoCx43降低。对MH45通道来说，从Cx43／45侧注射的通道偶联率大于从Cx45侧注射的偶联率。TPA处理后HoCx43的偶联率降低，而当Cx43和Cx45组合成BH43／45和MH43通道后其偶联率下降更显著。结论 Cx43和Cx45共同表达可构成BH43／45、MH43和MH45等异型通道，而这些通道可降低细胞间的通讯并对磷酸化的作用不敏感。单侧异型GJ通道的偶联率取决于染料注射的方向。     

Identification of ischemia-regulated phosphorylation sites in connexin43: A possible target for the antiarrhythmic peptide analogue rotigaptide (ZP123)

Previous studies suggest that dephosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) is related to uncoupling of gap junction communication, which plays an important role in the genesis of ischemia-induced ventricular tachycardia. We studied changes in Cx43 phosphorylation during global ischemia in the absence and presence of the antiarrhythmic peptide analogue rotigaptide (formerly known as ZP123). Phosphorylation analysis was performed on Cx43 purified from isolated perfused rat hearts using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Thirteen different serine phosphorylation sites were identified in Cx43 during non-ischemic conditions, three of which had not previously been described. Within the first 7 min of ischemia, Ser306 became fully dephosphorylated whereas Ser330 became phosphorylated. Between 15 and 30 min of ischemia, the critical time interval where gap junction uncoupling occurs, Ser297 and Ser368 also became fully dephosphorylated. During the same time period, all untreated hearts developed asystole. Treatment with rotigaptide significantly increased the time to ischemia-induced asystole and suppressed dephosphorylation of Ser297 and Ser368 at 30 min of ischemia. Our results suggest that phosphorylation of Ser297 and Ser368 may be involved in functional gating of Cx43 during ischemia and may be possible downstream targets for rotigaptide signaling.